Utrecht is hosting Europe’s leading conference on cycle tourism during Dutch Cycling Week
Article written by Jaarbeurs Utrecht.
From 27 September to 4 October 2026, Utrecht will become the international centre of the cycling world during Dutch Cycling Week. One of the highlights will be the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference 2026, Europe’s leading conference on cycle tourism and recreational cycle routes. From 30 September to 2 October 2026, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, the Province of Utrecht, the Municipality of Utrecht and Utrecht & Partners will welcome over 400 experts, policymakers and entrepreneurs from around 40 countries.
Utrecht as an international cycling region
Following previous editions in Izmir (Turkey) and Viborg (Denmark), the organisers have chosen Utrecht this year. As a result, the region will be at the centre of the European debate on the future of cycling for three days. It is no coincidence that the conference is coming to Utrecht. The region is internationally regarded as the prime example in the fields of cycling infrastructure, accessibility and cycling policy. Rob van Muilekom, member of the Provincial Executive of Utrecht: “The Province of Utrecht is proud to host the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference. We look forward to welcoming professionals from across Europe to exchange knowledge and practical experience on recreational cycling, cycle tourism and sustainable recreation. It is precisely this international cooperation that helps us to build the future of cycling.”
International highlight of Dutch Cycling Week
The EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference forms part of Dutch Cycling Week, an international themed week in which governments, businesses, research institutions, trade associations and cycling professionals come together to discuss innovation, mobility, sport, health and the future of cycling. Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs and co-initiator of Dutch Cycling Week: “We are proud that Europe’s leading conference on cycle tourism is part of Dutch Cycling Week this year. It underlines Utrecht’s international appeal as a cycling region and a meeting place for the entire cycling sector. In Utrecht, we bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators from across Europe to share knowledge and work towards the mobility, health and quality of life of tomorrow.”
Utrecht as the Heart of Health
The arrival of EuroVelo also ties in with Utrecht’s positioning as the Heart of Health. Cycling links health, accessibility, quality of life and sustainable tourism, and raises Utrecht’s international profile. Cor Jansen, Managing Director of Utrecht & Partners: “There’s hardly a better place to host a conference on the future of cycling than Utrecht. EuroVelo strikes at the very heart of what we stand for as a region: sharing knowledge, healthy urban living and welcoming visitors in a way that adds value to the city and the region. Here, we can showcase what Utrecht has to offer, but above all, bring together knowledge and ideas from across Europe to learn from one another.”
The future of cycle tourism
Cycling tourism is growing rapidly worldwide. Governments and regions are increasingly investing in high-quality cycling infrastructure, international route networks and sustainable leisure activities. The EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference will therefore focus on the theme ‘At the Beating Heart of Cycling’. Topics such as route development, digitalisation, AI, data, visitor management and public-private partnerships will be covered in detail. Participants range from policymakers and researchers to route developers, tour operators and representatives from the cycling industry.
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Utrecht in full pursuit of major international conferences
Utrecht in full pursuit of major international conferencesIn the coming years, the Utrecht Congress Alliance public-private partnership will be fully committed to raising Utrecht’s profile as a leading host city and region for major international conferences. The partnership aims to attract conferences aligned with the city and region’s positioning as ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. The themes of Life Sciences & Health, New Digital Society and Smart Sustainability will spearhead a multiyear, targeted acquisition strategy.Utrecht Region eager to host more major international conferencesThe targeted acquisition strategy is a breakthrough achievement by the Utrecht Congress Alliance, a partnership that includes the Municipality of Utrecht, the Province of Utrecht, ROM Utrecht Region, HOST (Utrecht hotelier foundation), Utrecht University, Royal Jaarbeurs and Utrecht Marketing with its subdivision Utrecht Convention Bureau. The partners have pledged to work together to strengthen Utrecht Region’s competitive edge in attracting business visitors and major conferences.“Business events and conferences are crucial for Utrecht Region”, says Daniël Kusse, head of Marketing & Communications at Utrecht Marketing. “They boost economic activity, create jobs and are a key component of the knowledge economy.”Kusse adds, “Events and conferences also provide the opportunity to highlight our region’s wider strengths and position Utrecht as the beating heart of a healthy society, in line with ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. It’s great to work with an increasing number of partners from various sectors and invest in our shared ambition. For instance, a range of partners from the Utrecht Congress Alliance are attending the IMEX in Frankfurt this week, the leading trade show for the global meetings and events industry.”Utrecht, Heart of HealthRecently named Europe’s most competitive region for the third time, Utrecht Region aims to play a pivotal role in creating a healthy and sustainable society, as reflected in the region’s positioning as ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. The targeted, joint acquisition strategy for conferences will further consolidate the region’s profile on a global stage. The key focus is on trade association conferences and industry events like the international WHO European Healthy Cities Network conference, hosted by Utrecht and attended by 350 visitors last November, and the Future Green City World Congress, which is expected to attract more than 4,000 people to the region this September.Global ambitionUtrecht Region has many venues that are eager to accommodate business events and win bids to host international conferences. “The new acquisition strategy ties in seamlessly with our own, which includes a focus on conferences, trade fairs and health and life sciences events”, says Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Jaarbeurs.Van Hooff continues, “Jaarbeurs received the public award for the best conference venue in the Netherlands for the second year in a row in 2023, thanks to our personalised approach to meeting and event planning and our central location. We’re on a mission to raise Jaarbeurs’ international profile as the premier conference venue in the Netherlands, specialising in health and life sciences. It’s extremely rewarding to work with our Utrecht-based partners to gain greater global recognition for our innovative region.”Since the partnership’s inception, an increasing number of municipalities and partners in Utrecht Region have expressed their desire to help bring business visitors and corporate events to the region.